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A review by ellelainey
Can't Take That Away by Steven Salvatore
5.0
TRIGGERS: queerphobia, biphobia, panic attacks, alzheimers, bullying, racism, gender dysphoria, cancer, parental loss, homophobia, suicide ideation, blackmail, assault, discrimination, unsafe school, misgendering, family death.
Can't Take That Away is easily one of my Best of 2021 reads. For a DEBUT! this blew my mind!
I was instantly drawn in by the cover, then by the blurb, and though I'm normally nervous about trying new authors and new books, I didn't hesitate when I cracked open this one. Even months after buying it, and it being delivered, I remembered how excited I was to read it when I pre-ordered it.
This story is told in alternating pronouns, corresponding to Carey's gender-identity - sometimes he/him/his, she/her/hers, they/them/theirs.
I do have to say, though - this book had NO trigger warnings. That is kind of surprising, considering the amount of triggers I logged while reading it. I think it's a Big 5 publisher thing, because this isn't the first book I've seen that desperately needed triggers and didn't have them.
I didn't expect to be in tears in the first chapter! And again almost every other chapter after that. Chapter 5 had me in floods. I was not prepared for the boxes of tissues I'd need to read this. Even the acknowledgements made me cry. The whole protest, Stonewall-homage really had me going.
I'm not a singer, but this author knows the soundtrack to my soul : Mariah Carey, and Freddie Mercury. Because, though it's part of Carey's personality, this book is a total love letter to Mariah Carey and I'm here for it.
As well as having the awesome, inspiring, incredible Carey as a main character, the book is filled with original, engaging, inspiring secondary characters with a range of diversity. From supportive, calming influence Cris...the awesome teacher, Mr Kelly...strong females and badass best friends. The connection between Cris and Carey is sudden, but doesn't feel forced because they've been in each other's orbit for a long time, and have both recently gone through life-altering experiences. Their bond and chemistry is beautiful to see, as it forms and grows.
While dealing with Carey's genderqueer identity, their struggle with being open at school and having lost confidence in their singing, the story deals with a lot of issues with sensitivity and care: gender, race, privilege, and how those with privilege can use their voices to make a stand without drowning out the ownvoices that matter.
I felt physically nervous and excited for Carey, sharing their journey throughout the book. The highs, the lows, the heartbreak and the heart-stopping moments.
The author states this was originally another story, about Cris in a Battle of the Bands situation, and honestly - I would absolutely read that! Cris was a great character, and even if it was a short or a freebie, I would be there with bells on.
Can't Take That Away is...a love letter to dreams, music, divas, Mariah Carey, and finding your courage. It's about learning you HAVE a voice, and finding the courage to use it, even in the face of adversity. It's a typical teen drama - messy, confused, and no one knows the right words or when to say them. And when they do, they overthink or hesitate, with no courage of conviction to say them. Carey's message is clear : stand together. Make your voices heard. Fight the injustice. Find who you are. Have the courage to ACCEPT who you are, and allow yourself to BE who you are.
It's...stunning...beautiful...glorious...uplifting...heartbreaking...powerful...moving...motivational. With a perfect ending and last line, this is a book that will stay with you long after you close the cover with a satisfied sigh, wishing there was just a little bit more.
I loved EVERY. SECOND. By far my most favourite book of the year.
--------
Favourite Quotes
"The genderqueer flag." My eyes open a little wider, and I sit up a little straighter in my chair. "So, when I want everyone to use they/them pronouns, like most days..." I slip that one around my wrist. Immediately my body relaxes.
"The rainbow bracelet is just fun." Mr. Kelly flashes his wrist to show a matching bracelet. "I had to get one. My husband did too." His face softens into a smile. "I hope this is okay and I'm not overstepping. You shouldn't have to explain yourself every day."
My thumb strokes the bracelet on my wrist. Something inside me is suddenly visible on the outside. It's a strange and beautiful feeling, though a bit uncomfortable. Like how I imagine the glass slipper felt on Cinderella's foot - it was glass, after all. My lips tremble. "Every day is like coming out again. Having to tell my friends which pronouns to use, wanting to correct the teachers who call me 'he' when I'm 'they', but being too afraid to do it in the middle of class, and feeling like it doesn't matter once the bell rings. But it does matter." Tears bubble up as I talk. "I want to feel like I matter. People pretend to see me, but nobody knows me." I look up and Mr. Kelly's eyes are wet. "I guess I'm trying to say thanks.""
"Maybe I had to break to learn how to become stronger."
Can't Take That Away is easily one of my Best of 2021 reads. For a DEBUT! this blew my mind!
I was instantly drawn in by the cover, then by the blurb, and though I'm normally nervous about trying new authors and new books, I didn't hesitate when I cracked open this one. Even months after buying it, and it being delivered, I remembered how excited I was to read it when I pre-ordered it.
This story is told in alternating pronouns, corresponding to Carey's gender-identity - sometimes he/him/his, she/her/hers, they/them/theirs.
I do have to say, though - this book had NO trigger warnings. That is kind of surprising, considering the amount of triggers I logged while reading it. I think it's a Big 5 publisher thing, because this isn't the first book I've seen that desperately needed triggers and didn't have them.
I didn't expect to be in tears in the first chapter! And again almost every other chapter after that. Chapter 5 had me in floods. I was not prepared for the boxes of tissues I'd need to read this. Even the acknowledgements made me cry. The whole protest, Stonewall-homage really had me going.
I'm not a singer, but this author knows the soundtrack to my soul : Mariah Carey, and Freddie Mercury. Because, though it's part of Carey's personality, this book is a total love letter to Mariah Carey and I'm here for it.
As well as having the awesome, inspiring, incredible Carey as a main character, the book is filled with original, engaging, inspiring secondary characters with a range of diversity. From supportive, calming influence Cris...the awesome teacher, Mr Kelly...strong females and badass best friends. The connection between Cris and Carey is sudden, but doesn't feel forced because they've been in each other's orbit for a long time, and have both recently gone through life-altering experiences. Their bond and chemistry is beautiful to see, as it forms and grows.
While dealing with Carey's genderqueer identity, their struggle with being open at school and having lost confidence in their singing, the story deals with a lot of issues with sensitivity and care: gender, race, privilege, and how those with privilege can use their voices to make a stand without drowning out the ownvoices that matter.
I felt physically nervous and excited for Carey, sharing their journey throughout the book. The highs, the lows, the heartbreak and the heart-stopping moments.
The author states this was originally another story, about Cris in a Battle of the Bands situation, and honestly - I would absolutely read that! Cris was a great character, and even if it was a short or a freebie, I would be there with bells on.
Can't Take That Away is...a love letter to dreams, music, divas, Mariah Carey, and finding your courage. It's about learning you HAVE a voice, and finding the courage to use it, even in the face of adversity. It's a typical teen drama - messy, confused, and no one knows the right words or when to say them. And when they do, they overthink or hesitate, with no courage of conviction to say them. Carey's message is clear : stand together. Make your voices heard. Fight the injustice. Find who you are. Have the courage to ACCEPT who you are, and allow yourself to BE who you are.
It's...stunning...beautiful...glorious...uplifting...heartbreaking...powerful...moving...motivational. With a perfect ending and last line, this is a book that will stay with you long after you close the cover with a satisfied sigh, wishing there was just a little bit more.
I loved EVERY. SECOND. By far my most favourite book of the year.
--------
Favourite Quotes
"The genderqueer flag." My eyes open a little wider, and I sit up a little straighter in my chair. "So, when I want everyone to use they/them pronouns, like most days..." I slip that one around my wrist. Immediately my body relaxes.
"The rainbow bracelet is just fun." Mr. Kelly flashes his wrist to show a matching bracelet. "I had to get one. My husband did too." His face softens into a smile. "I hope this is okay and I'm not overstepping. You shouldn't have to explain yourself every day."
My thumb strokes the bracelet on my wrist. Something inside me is suddenly visible on the outside. It's a strange and beautiful feeling, though a bit uncomfortable. Like how I imagine the glass slipper felt on Cinderella's foot - it was glass, after all. My lips tremble. "Every day is like coming out again. Having to tell my friends which pronouns to use, wanting to correct the teachers who call me 'he' when I'm 'they', but being too afraid to do it in the middle of class, and feeling like it doesn't matter once the bell rings. But it does matter." Tears bubble up as I talk. "I want to feel like I matter. People pretend to see me, but nobody knows me." I look up and Mr. Kelly's eyes are wet. "I guess I'm trying to say thanks.""
"Maybe I had to break to learn how to become stronger."